Dear friends,
On behalf of the South African Jewish community, I would like to express sincerest condolences to the family of the Rabbi Avraham Benzion Isaacson, on his passing yesterday.
I would like to pay tribute to Rabbi Ben Isaacson, of blessed memory, for his strong leadership and for his courageous, principled stand taken during the dark years of the apartheid regime.
Rabbi Isaacson’s stirring oratory and deeds of valour during those terrible times held high the flame of the Torah values of human dignity, and helped profoundly to fulfil the words of the Mishna: “Beloved is the human being created in the image of G-d.”
Rabbi Isaacson acted heroically when many others failed to do so, and even opposed him. His sterling courage remains an example to us all. Courage indeed is a very rare quality, one which Rabbi Isaacson possessed in large measure.
Through his courage, he gave practical, effective and eloquent expression to the great mitzvah of Kiddush Hashem – sanctification of G-d’s name – by demonstrating the morality, humanity and compassion of true Torah values. He did so often at great personal cost to himself and to his family.
Let us all pay tribute to a man who sacrificed so much in the name of justice and equality. The best way we can honour the memory of Rabbi Isaacson is to follow in his noble and holy example by standing firmly for our principles and being a voice of Torah morality and compassion.
Let us also strive to emulate his love for learning and teaching Torah, which was the great passion of his life. He dedicated every spare moment of his days to delving into the Divine wisdom of our precious heritage, and his life inspires us to do the same.
May his memory be a blessing,
Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein
The Struggle Rabbi 